In this week’s edition of P.S., Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas is reviving its in-person Builders of Justice Progressive Dinner and Awards Program in McKinney, honoring local advocates for expanding access to justice. In Houston, the Bar Association’s Days of Service engaged about 300 lawyers and benefitted more than 14,000 people through community service projects. Meanwhile, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid is encouraging early donations for El Paso Giving Day to support its wide-ranging civil legal work across 68 counties, and the Association of Corporate Counsel San Antonio makes a donation to the San Antonio Legal Services Association. Rounding out this issue, Bracewell hosted 25 Aldine ISD students for a law career panel in partnership with Momentum Education.
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas Brings Back Signature Fundraiser, Awards Program
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas is reviving its in-person Builders of Justice Progressive Dinner and Awards Program this Sunday.
The nonprofit suspended live events in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and introduced a reception-style format in 2022. This year’s dinner will take place at Landon Winery in historic downtown McKinney.
The organization will honor several individuals and community leaders for their contributions to advancing access to justice in North Texas.
Tom Daley, a shareholder at KoonsFuller, will receive the Legal Advocate Award, which recognizes a member of the legal community who has performed exceptional work on behalf of low-income individuals and families.
The Champion of Justice Award, given to an individual, organization or company demonstrating outstanding commitment to serving or supporting low-income communities in Collin County and surrounding areas, will go to Kathy Kennedy.
Torry Abra, community engagement officer at Credit Union of Texas, will be presented with the Business Leader Award and Wendy Hanna, executive director of The Turning Point, will be bestowed with the Civic Leader Award.
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas’ McKinney office received applications from more than 2,000 people last year seeking help with legal issues such as wrongful evictions, foreclosures, child custody and domestic violence protection.
More than 14,000 Served in HBA’s Days of Service
About 300 lawyers took part in the Houston Bar Association’s Days of Service initiative, which was held Sept. 26 and 27.
More than 14,000 people were helped during the legal and non-legal community service events last month, the association said. (Pictured right: HBA President Daniella Landers (left) joins volunteers to help install a State Historical Commission marker at the Dawson Lunnon Cemetery in Houston’s East End. Volunteers also participated in beautification efforts to preserve this 1915 African American cemetery.)
During one of the events at the Houston Food Bank, about 16,000 pounds of fresh oranges were sorted into more than 3,200 bags, leading to 13,333 meals, HBA said. Four new Little Free Libraries were placed in the greater Houston area and 10 were restocked with books.
HBA’s next Day of Service will take place on March 28. More information may be found at this link.
The Days of Service marks a key priority of HBA President Daniella D. Landers’ term.
El Paso Early Giving Day is Underway
Early giving for El Paso Giving Day is underway, and the Texas RioGrande Legal Aid is asking donors to earmark contributions for the non-profit law firm.
TRLA covers 68 counties across Southwest and Central Texas with legal matters spanning more than 45 civil areas of law. Its El Paso office is one of its largest.
In recent years, TRLA has aided victims and survivors of the 2019 mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, and of the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.
Early contributions may be made through Oct. 15. The official Giving Day takes place on Oct. 16. Donors may contribute to TRLA at this link.
ACC and USAA Donation Boosts San Antonio Legal Services
The Association of Corporate Counsel San Antonio recently presented the non-profit San Antonio Legal Services Association with a $4,000 check to continue its free legal services for underserved communities.
The check was presented this week during the luncheon portion of a CLE presentation on essential clauses in property contracts.
The donation was funded through ACC San Antonio’s annual golf tournament, including a $2,500 contribution from USAA’s special “Tend the Flag” sponsorship, which specifically supports SALSA’s veterans’ clinic.
Bracewell Hosts Aldine ISD Students
Bracewell recently hosted 25 Aldine ISD students in its Houston office for lunch and a panel discussion about getting to law school and holding careers in the legal field.
During the Oct. 3 event, students heard from partners Jeffrey B. Vaden, Barron F. Wallace and Troy L. Harder, as well as associate Kate Brittingham. (Pictured right with Executive Director of Momentum Education Raj Salhotra)
The event was held in partnership with Momentum Education, a nonprofit that supports first-generation and low-income students in pursuing post-secondary education and career success. Bracewell’s longtime partnership with Momentum Education has included virtual and in-person events with students, as well as mentoring initiatives such as helping students with college applications. The law firm has also sponsored post-secondary fellows with scholarship funding.